SAN ANTONIO – A week after the Golden State Warriors’ Zaza Pachulia became public enemy No. 1 to so many San Antonio Spurs fans, his view hadn’t changed about the controversial play that might have ended Kawhi Leonard’s season in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was not shy about his feelings on the play that injured Kawhi Leonard in Game 1 against the Warriors.
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Yet Pachulia, who did not play in Game 3 because of a right heel contusion and is questionable for Game 4 on Monday night, stands by his stance.

“It wasn’t intentional at all, and I wish it didn’t happen,” Pachulia, whose Warriors lead the series 3-0, told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. “I know everybody has different thoughts, and see it in a different way. Ex players, non players. There are guys saying I did it on purpose. I can’t control that. But I really felt bad (for Leonard). There’s nothing you can do, basically. I said it right after the game. I said it the next day. And if I get a chance to talk to Kawhi going forward, I will mention it to him.”

Leonard hasn’t played since going down in the third quarter of Game 1, and is also listed as questionable for Game 4. If Pachulia plays, he’ll surely face a healthy dose of boos from the AT&T Center crowd.

But when it comes to the discussion about how they got to this point, Pachulia wishes more attention had been paid to Leonard’s initial perspective rather than Popovich’s rant. The sixth-year small forward said after Game 1 that he did not believe Pachulia was attempting to injure him.

“The two of us were involved in this, and after the game I think he said he didn’t think it was intentional,” Pachulia said. “So when the two guys who were involved are saying this, and others are talking too much about it, I just don’t get it. We are the ones who know it best.

“When you’re in a game, stuff happens. If they, because of that (play), want to give you the reputation (for being dirty), that’s wrong. You can ask my teammates. I’ve been with five teams, played for a bunch of different coaches. They know better than my opponent what kind of teammate I am and how I love this game and how I (work in) practice, shoot-around, on and off the court. That’s why I don’t think it’s right to hear from opponents in that situation. I don’t agree.”

“When you’re in the league for 14 years, of course you’re going to have plays (like that),” he said. “Looking at myself, I’m a center, I’m 275 pounds, I’m taking hard fouls, making decisions where 'nothing easy' is my favorite. Sometimes in the middle, sometimes you get screened, sometimes it’s an illegal screen, and that stuff is part of the game. Throughout my 14 years, I played more than 1,000 games, so I’m sure there is (footage of questionable plays). You could be the nicest guy in the world, and still be in a situation where it looks (bad).”

Golden State Warriors point guard Patrick McCaw blocks a shot attempt by San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Jonathon Simmons during the second half in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs players (from left to right) Pau Gasol (16) Patty Mills (8) and Manu Ginobili (20) watch on the bench during the second half in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs small forward Davis Bertans and Dewayne Dedmon during the second half in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (in suit) watches from the bench against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee defends during the first half in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee defends during the first half in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol defends during the second quarter in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Jonathon Simmons shoots the ball over Golden State Warriors point guard Shaun Livingston during the first half in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (in suit) watches from the bench against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors small forward Kevin Durant drives to the basket while guarded by San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray during the second half in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) attempts to control the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (14) defends during the first quarter in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) scores a basket during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) talks with forward LeBron James (23) during the second half against the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) blocks the shot of Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) during the first quarter in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during the first quarter in game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dunks the ball while defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver during the first quarter in game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson and Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson battle for the tip off during the first quarter in game one of the Eastern Conference finals. Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry dribbles the basketball against San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon during the first quarter in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant dribbles the basketball against San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills during the first quarter in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant dunks the basketball against San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili during the second half in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant shoots the basketball against San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills during the second quarter in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports